Information about Cardiovascular Disease: Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death in the United States and other industrialized nations, and involves a disorder of the heart and blood vessels of the cardiovascular system. In recent years a risk factor of cardiovascular disease has been identified as elevated levels of homocysteine, which damages coronary arteries and increases the risk of blood clots.

 What is the connection between Vitamin B12, homocysteine and cardiovascular disease?

  Vitamins B12 and B6, as well as folate are involved in homocysteine metabolism.

 Deficiencies of B12, B6 or folate may elevate levels of homocysteine, whereas supplements of these nutrients are able to lower levels of homocysteine, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

      The summary:

 Folic acid and B12 lower levels of homocysteine, which, although does not actually decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease may decrease the levels of homocysteine, is thought to increase the rate of cardiovascular disease.

 Clinical trials are underway to secure and prove the connection, but currently drug manufacturers are unable to market B12 as a preventative vitamin against cardiovascular disease, although that is what research suggests.

  If you are in a high risk group for cardiovascular disease B12 probably can’t hurt, so speak to your healthcare provider for more information and current trial results.

• http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/vitamins/vitaminB12/
• http://www.thenutritionreporter.com/B-vitamins.html